Prev Med Rep

Iron deficiency linked to depression in young men

January 29, 2024

Researchers analyzing National Health Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2017 through 2020 found that ferritin, serum iron, and transferrin deficiencies were all associated with depression in young men, but not young women. In contrast, young adult females with ferritin deficiency had lower odds of depression. However, researchers found that young adult females have a higher prevalence of both iron deficiency and depression compared with males.

• 917 participants were included in the study.
• About 9.5 % of young adults reported at least moderate depression or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score >=10 in this NHANES 2017–2020 cohort. More females (12.5 %) than males (6.8 %) had PHQ-9 depression.
• Males with ferritin (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=14.13, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.51, 132.21), serum iron (AOR=4.84, 95% CI: 1.02, 22.92), and transferrin (AOR=13.79, 95% CI: 3.59, 53.06) deficiencies were at higher risk for depression.
• In contrast, ferritin deficiency was associated with a reduced likelihood of PHQ-9 depression when compared to no ferritin deficiency among females (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.11-0.97).
• Study authors note that these findings highlight the need to focus on depression screening among young adults, as well as risk factors for depression among this age group.
• They urge clinicians to also consider identifying risk factors and screening for iron deficiency, especially among females.
• Finally, all young adults, regardless of low iron levels, should be considered for depression screening.

Source:

Leung C and Kyung M, et al. (2023, December 12). Prev Med Rep. Associations of iron deficiency and depressive symptoms among young adult males and females: NHANES 2017 to 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38226328/